Notes from NBA TV’s NBA Fan Night presented by Sprint – Tuesday, November 12, 2013
Detroit Pistons (95) at Golden State Warriors (113)
Voting is now open via NBA.com, the NBA Facebook page, NBA TV’s Facebook page, Yahoo.com, NBA.com mobile web, mobile NBA Game Time App, NBA Game Time from Sprint App and Twitter.
Fans can select between the following games:
- Minnesota Timberwolves at Washington Wizards
- Atlanta Hawks at Miami Heat
- New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons
- Phoenix Suns at Sacramento Kings
**** **** **** ****
AutoTrader.com Pregame Show
Ernie Johnson, Chris Webber and Greg Anthony
Webber on the continued improvement of the Detroit Pistons: “Detroit has improved tremendously…not just because of wins and losses, but in terms of redefining who they are. The Pistons have found two young guys in their big fellas [Greg Monroe and Andre Drummond] to be their leaders. They’re going in the right direction. They’re not going to win a championship now. If they make the playoffs, [that’s] wonderful, but I think they’re setting the tone and getting the organization on the right track. The fans in Detroit should be happy.”
Anthony on the Golden State Warriors: “This is a basketball team, knowing [Warriors head coach] Mark Jackson, that’s thinking, ‘Why not us?’ They have championship aspirations.”
Webber on growing up a Pistons fan: “The Detroit Pistons inspired me growing up. I come from a hard hat, blue-collar city. [The Pistons] were the guys that represented us. I felt like we were the underdogs. It was more than basketball. It gave the city pride [and] hope.”
Webber on how the Pistons made him believe in the best of sports: “A couple of things I remember about the Pistons that influenced my life – after every game Isiah Thomas said, ‘Hey Mom. I love you.’ So, that’s what I said after every game that was on TV, because I saw that as a 12-year-old from Thomas. I remember Detroit winning the championship with Joe Dumars, but I don’t remember Dumars giving a speech or getting the ring. Instead, I remember his father passed away, and he went to the funeral and put his ring in the casket. Those are the types of things that make you believe in the best of sports when you’re young. It was great growing up a Pistons fan.”
***** ***** *****
Sprint Halftime Report
Johnson, Webber and Anthony
Webber on Warriors forward David Lee: “He is the key for [the Warriors] to the championship. He can slow the ball down, which you need in the playoffs, and get tough buckets. Lee can really help them down the road.”
Anthony on Golden State guard Klay Thompson: “What I like about [Thompson] at this stage of his career is he understands how to play to complement [the Warriors]…great shooting touch.”
Anthony on Detroit’s free agent additions – Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings: “The big problem with those two guys is they’re not first option scorers, but they have a first option mentality. They make more poor decisions with their shot selection than anything else. It’s a domino effect. When your teammates see you taking tough, ill-advised shots, it takes their energy and motivation from them.”
***** ***** *****
NBA GameTime presented by Kia
Johnson, Webber and Anthony
Webber on the Warriors improvement since last year: “Let’s remember the experience they gained last year by playing against the San Antonio Spurs [in the playoffs]. I think the pain and experience of last year is really going to help them follow through. Even when they played late in this game, and it was a blowout, the bench came in and played hard like they were on a mission. That’s something I don’t think we would have seen last year.”
Anthony on Golden State’s improved defense: “I don’t think we have given Golden State enough credit. I think they’ve improved a lot defensively. Mark Jackson has really gotten them to buy into that side [of their game]. In order for them to legitimately be a contender, they are going to have to impact the game defensively if they want to have a real chance.”
Webber on Warriors head coach Mark Jackson’s belief in his team: “It’s great when your coach believes in you, because you can trust him the rest of the way. Last year he was the only one saying, ‘We’re going to be good.’ They believe that and they trust him. That’s going to be fun to watch.”
Warriors guard Stephen Curry joined NBA GameTime presented by Kia
Curry on what the Warriors have to do in order to be legit contenders this season: “If we take care of what we’re supposed to do every single night and play to the level that we are capable of, we feel like we are going to win a lot of ball games this year and beat a lot of good teams. It’s been a good start to the season, and hopefully we continue that mission.”
Recent Comments